Green Bay Packers could be solely in first place with win over Detroit Lions

****This post is sponsored by Prilosec OTC Wildberry****

The Green Bay Packers started off the season 2-3, but they went on a big winning streak and are now tied with the Chicago Bears for first place in the NFC North. The way we see it, they have a very good chance of residing solely in first after the weekend.

The Wild American Flavor Tour, which we mentioned back in October, will be stopping in Green Bay on Sunday for the Packers-Detroit Lions game. Before we get into breaking down the game, we want to remind you that you have the chance to be the envy of all your friends if you win one of the contests Prilosec OTC Wildberry is running. Details to enter the contest are at the bottom of the post. And we want to remind frequent heartburn sufferers to try out Prilosec OTC Wildberry for the same frequent heartburn relief as Prilosec OTC with a burst of wildberry flavor.

Green Bay Packers (8-4) vs. Detroit Lions (4-8)

The Packers are right where most people expected them to be around this time of year — in first place. Despite early-season struggles, they have come on to win six of their last seven games and earn a first-place tie with the Bears. The Lions are a disappointing 4-8 this season. They have fallen off since last season’s 10-6 record that helped them earn a playoff berth. However, they are still playing hard and have only lost their last three games by a total of nine points.

Players to watch

Greg Jennings, WR, Packers – Jennings played his first game since injuring his groin in Week 4 and had 4 catches for 46 yards last week. Jordy Nelson is likely to miss Sunday’s game after hurting his hamstring, so there is a good chance Jennings plays a big role in the passing game.

Alex Green, RB, Packers – James Starks hurt his knee last weekend and may miss the rest of the season. Green is next man up on the depth chart. He disappointed earlier in the season as a starter, but he did have 58 yards on 12 attempts against the Vikings after Starks got hurt. The passing game is the strength of Green Bay’s offense, but they’ll want to get their running game going to prove to opposing defenses that they can move the ball in two ways.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions – Johnson leads the NFL with 1,428 receiving yards and he is fifth with 86 receptions. He is on pace to break Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yardage record of 1,848 set in 1995. Johnson has scored in four straight games (all losses) and has over 100 receiving yards in five straight. He is considered the best WR in the NFL. We could be watching history in the making.

Biggest questions

Can the Lions’ secondary stop the Packers’ passing attack? Green Bay is second in the NFL with 30 touchdown passes this season and is led by MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is having another strong season. Detroit’s passing defense has allowed 21 touchdowns, which is 8th-worst in the league. Their secondary is shaky, so they will rely on pressure from their defensive lineman to force Rodgers into mistakes. Rodgers went 19/27 for 236 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception Green Bay’s 24-20 win over Detroit in Week 11. He led the Packers on an 82-yard touchdown drive to give them the lead with less than two minutes left, but other than that, Detroit contained him.

Can Detroit eliminate the turnovers that hurt them last game? Matthew Stafford threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in a three-possession stretch in the last meeting between the teams. Their offense can’t afford to turn the ball over if they want to beat the Packers. Detroit had Green Bay on the ropes in their last meeting. If they had scored a few points on one of those drives instead of turning the ball over, things would have been much different.

Environment, weather

The game will be played at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, not indoors at Ford Field in Detroit. The weather is expected to be around 30 degrees and there is a 60-percent chance of snow. The game being played outdoors in the snow should favor the Packers, however, it should be noted that the last time the teams met at Lambeau Field, it was snowing and the game turned into a massive shootout.

People attending the game at Lambeau can look out for the Prilosec OTC Wildberry food truck.

Contest Details

From now until January 7, 2013, enter at WildberryFlavor.com for a chance to win trips to three of America’s most flavorful cities, including tickets to some of the country’s biggest sporting events courtesy of new Prilosec OTC Wildberry. One winner will be chosen at random to receive the prize pack, including tickets to the big football game in New Orleans (February 3, 2013), the first big auto race of the year in Daytona Beach (February 24, 2013) and the basketball championship game in Atlanta (April 8, 2013), travel and accommodations (a two-night hotel stay and air transportation for each destination), and one $5,000 check to be used in any of these flavorful cities.